UHRC Commissioners Begin Talks to End Standoff as COSASE Uncovers Fresh Disputes

What the report says

Uganda Human Rights Commission officials told Parliament that commissioners have started internal talks aimed at resolving a prolonged standoff inside the institution. The update came on Monday during the fifth appearance by UHRC officials, led by Chairperson Justice Mariam Wangadya, before the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) as it examined spending and administration in the 2024/2025 financial year.

According to the Nile Post report, the hearing quickly broadened into several disputed issues. Commissioners raised concerns that resolutions agreed in meetings were being replaced by new minutes they said did not reflect earlier decisions. MPs also questioned the approval of higher tribunal allowances, including Shs5 million for the chairperson and Shs1.2 million for each commissioner, and whether the increases had the necessary government clearance. COSASE further scrutinized recruitment and promotion practices at UHRC, citing the rapid rise of one senior official as an example it said may have bypassed normal public service procedures.

The hearing also revived a dispute over generators allocated to commissioners, with Wangadya saying she was willing to return one if it was causing concern. MPs additionally ordered two UHRC staff members to be referred to the Criminal Investigations Directorate after allegations that public funds were paid into personal bank accounts. COSASE chairperson Muwadda Nkunyingi directed UHRC to submit commission minutes, recruitment files and a full account of the allowances for review, as Parliament prepares a report on the allegations and internal governance issues.